A combination of tri-modal cancer imaging and in vivo drug delivery by metal–organic framework based composite nanoparticles

Abstract

Multifunctional Fe3O4@polyacrylic acid/Au nanoclusters/zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PAA/AuNCs/ZIF-8 NPs) integrating tri-modal cancer imaging (magnetic resonance, computed X-ray tomography and fluorescence imaging) and chemotherapy into a single system were fabricated by using a facile, mild and reproducible strategy. The obtained NPs possess many merits including ultrahigh doxorubicin (DOX) loading capability (1.54 mg DOX per mg NPs), dual pH-responsive controlled drug release, tri-modal cancer imaging ability, facile magnetic separation and good biocompatibility. Importantly, the NPs exhibit low systematic toxicity and high antitumor therapy efficacy in vivo through tail vein injection. Furthermore, the achievement of in vitro tri-modal cancer cell imaging reveals the potential of Fe3O4@PAA/AuNCs/ZIF-8 NPs for cancer diagnosis and visualized-synergistic therapy. Taken together, Fe3O4@PAA/AuNCs/ZIF-8 NPs can be developed as a promising theranostic agent that combines multiple capabilities for cancer treatment.

Metal–Organic Framework (MOF)‐Based Drug/Cargo Delivery and Cancer Therapy

“…In 2015, Wang and co‐workers reported multifunctional Fe 3 O 4 @poly(acrylic acid)/Au nanoclusters/zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) NPs (Fe 3 O 4 @PAA/AuNCs/ZIF‐8 NPs) for cancer diagnosis and visualized‐synergistic therapy ( Figure a) . The obtained nanomedical system possessed many therapeutic properties, such as facile magnetic separation, high DOX loading capacity, tri‐modal imaging, dual pH‐responsive drug release, and high in vivo tumor inhibition efficacy (Figure b).…”

“…b) Photographs of excised tumors from euthanized mice in the three groups. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2015, Royal Society of Chemistry.…”

Nanoscale Metal–Organic Frameworks for Therapeutic, Imaging, and Sensing Applications

“…Since ZIF‐8 is stable in neutral aqueous environments and gradually decomposes in mild acidic conditions (pH ≤ 6), it inherently functions as a pH‐triggered release system ( Figure ). In the past few years, ZIF‐8 has been used to encapsulate camptothecin (CPT), DOX, proteins, and inorganic particles . This method is useful for delivery of large biomolecules and other cargoes that are larger than the pore size of nMOF.…”

Applications of Simple Nanoparticle Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 in Bio-medicine

“…[68][69][70] Wang group reported the use of multifunctional Fe3O4@poly(acrylic acid)/Au nanoclusters/ZIF-8 NPs (Fe3O4@ PAA/AuNCs/ZIF-8) for cancer diagnosis and visualization-synergistic therapy. [71] Firstly, Fe3O4 NPs were modified by CTAB to produce Fe3O4@PAA core-shell NPs under ultrasonic. Subsequently, AuNCs were added to the Fe3O4@PAA nanoparticles, and a ZIF-8 shell was formed on the surface to support DOX.…”